Simḥat Yom Tov Rabbi David Brofsky Midreshet Lindenbaum The Torah commands in three places that one should “rejoice” on Yom Tov. Regarding Shavuot, the Torah says, “And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God” (Deut. 16:11), and the Torah mentions the obligation to rejoice twice in the context of Sukkot (Deut. 16:14–15). The Rishonim offer different …
From Sacred Garments to Everyday Clothes Rabbanit Nomi Berman Rosh Beit Midrash, Maria and Joel Finkle Overseas Program at Midreshet Lindenbaum The details are dizzying. First in the Torah and then mapped out in seven chapters of Mishnah. Beginning seven days before Yom Kippur, the schedule of the Kohen Gadol is regimented and intense. In …
The Biblical Meaning of “Kippurim” Rabbi Menachem Leibtag Midreshet Lindenbaum Is the ‘Day of ATONEMENT’ a precise translation for YOM KIPPUR? In English, the word ‘atonement’ implies amends for a certain wrongdoing. In this sense, the ‘Day of Atonement’ implies expiation for transgressions that may have been committed over the course of the previous year. …
The Revelation of Yom Kippur Rabbanit Dena Freundlich Midreshet Lindenbaum The theme of “memory” figures prominently during the High Holy Days, particularly on Rosh Hashana, which the Torah calls Yom Hazikaron and Zichron Terua . To underscore this concept, our Sages quote God as saying, “Recite your memories to Me, so that your memories may come up to Me for …
Next Year in Jerusalem: A Defining Call Rabbi Benjy Myers Educational Director, Beren-Amiel and Straus Amiel Emissary Programs Twice a year we conclude a religious service with the words “Next year in Jerusalem” – “לשנה הבאה בירושלים”. The first time is at the formal ending of the Pesach Seder, and the second is at the …
Letting Go Rabbi Shlomo Vilk Rosh Yeshivat Machanaim, Named in Memory of Joseph and Leila Applebaum The soul has two primary ways of preserving the past: through nostalgia and memory. Nostalgia is a negative force insofar as it arouses longing again and again and again, and does not allow the future to shine through into …
The first ten days of the Jewish calendar are known as “Aseret Yemei Teshuva – The ten days of Teshuva.” Citing the verse, “Seek God when He may be found, call upon Him when He is near,” the Talmud asserts that “these are the ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur,” when God is …
As Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur approach, we are all looking for inspiration, to reconnect and come closer to Hashem. In that light we are delighted to share this special Yamim Nora’im edition of the Midreshet Lindenbaum Torah journal, “Ta Shma” – Come and Learn. We invite you to learn from the articles from members …
The Inspiration to Change Rabbanit Sally Mayer Rosh Midrasha, Maria and Joel Finkle Overseas Program at Midreshet Lindenbaum We will read soon in Parshat Nitzavim that the mitzvah of teshuvah is “לא בשמים היא” – it is not in heaven or across the sea, far away and unreachable, but rather it is within our grasp and our ability to …
The Sound of the Shofar Rabbanit Nomi Berman Rosh Beit Midrash, Maria and Joel Finkle Overseas Program at Midreshet Lindenbaum At this time of year, barely a day goes by without a moving truck pulling onto my street. Families moving out, new families moving in; families moving to larger apartments, new olim. The moving truck …
From Justice to Mercy Rabbi Ohad Teharlev Director of Israeli Programs, Midreshet Lindenbaum The theme of “memory” figures prominently during the High Holy Days, particularly on Rosh Hashana, which the Torah calls Yom Hazikaron and Zichron Terua . To underscore this concept, our Sages quote God as saying, “Recite your memories to Me, so that your memories may come up …
The Meaning of the Shofar and its Place in Mussaf Rabbi David Brofsky Faculty, Midreshet Lindenbaum The Torah commands “And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month…it shall be a day of terua for you” (Bamidbar 29:1). The Rabbis (Rosh HaShana 33) understand that this verse refers to the blowing of the shofar …
